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American Beautyberry Bush
American Beautyberry Bush
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Callicarpa americana
American Beautyberry
The American Beautyberry is a native deciduous shrub beloved for its clusters of vivid purple berries, arching branches, and naturalistic charm. This fast-growing, low-maintenance plant brings color and wildlife support to your landscape from late summer through winter, when most plants have gone dormant.
A standout in woodland edges, native gardens, pollinator habitats, and wildlife borders, the American Beautyberry is a southern native treasure that thrives in heat, humidity, and partial shade.
American Beautyberry Overview
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| 🌿 Botanical Name | Callicarpa americana |
| 🏷️ Common Names | American Beautyberry, French Mulberry |
| 🌳 Mature Height | 4–6 feet |
| 🌐 Mature Width | 4–6 feet |
| 📈 Growth Rate | Fast (2–3 feet per year) |
| ⏳ Lifespan | 10–20 years |
| 🧊 USDA Zones | 6–10 |
| ☀️ Sun Preference | Full sun to partial shade (best berry production in sun) |
| 🧱 Soil Type | Well-drained loam, sandy, or clay soils |
| ⚖️ Soil pH | Slightly acidic to neutral (5.5–7.0) |
| 💧 Water Needs | Low to moderate; drought-tolerant once established |
| 🌸 Flower Color | Pale pink to lavender clusters; bloom in summer |
| 🍇 Fruit Color | Bright purple berries in tight clusters along stems |
| 🐝 Pollination | Attracts bees, butterflies, birds, and wildlife |
| 🌿 Growth Habit | Rounded, arching, open-formed shrub |
| ↔️ Spacing | 4–6 ft apart for borders or natural groupings |
| 🏡 Landscape Uses | Wildlife gardens, pollinator beds, woodland borders, native landscapes |
| 🧹 Maintenance Level | Low |
Environmental Benefits
🌸 Offers nectar-rich blooms for pollinators in summer
🍇 Provides late-season berries for birds and wildlife
🌿 Thrives in naturalized and native planting zones
🌞 Tolerates heat, drought, and poor soils once established
Pros & Cons
| ✅ Pros | ⚠️ Cons |
|---|---|
| 💜 Vivid purple berries add dramatic fall and winter interest | 🐛 Berries are not edible for humans; strictly ornamental |
| 🐝 Excellent for pollinators and wildlife gardens | 🌾 Open growth habit may look sparse in formal landscapes |
| 🌞 Handles full sun to light shade easily | ✂️ Pruning may be needed to control size or shape in small spaces |
| 🧬 Native and drought-tolerant once established | ❄️ Can die back in colder zones and regrow from base |
| 🌿 Adds color and biodiversity with minimal maintenance | 📏 Short lifespan compared to long-lived shrubs |
Planting & Care Guide
🛁 Water thoroughly after planting and during establishment
🕳️ Dig a hole twice the width of the root ball; plant at soil level
🌾 Mulch 2–3 inches deep around the base to conserve moisture and reduce weeds
💦 Water weekly in the first year; reduce once plant is established
✂️ Prune in late winter to maintain shape or rejuvenate older growth
🧪 Fertilize in early spring with compost or a light all-purpose shrub food
The American Beautyberry is a wildlife-friendly southern native that delivers unmatched berry color, seasonal charm, and ecological value. Whether you're filling a woodland edge, building a pollinator haven, or adding late-season interest, this eye-catching shrub offers low-maintenance color and function year after year.
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